Pant-type absorbent article

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an absorbent article having a back elastic belt comprising a waist guard portion extending towards the crotch region from a closed base line towards an open edge, wherein the waist guard portion is partially bonded to the remainder of the back elastic belt to define a pocket.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, Patent Application No. PCT/CN2021/077841, filed on Feb. 25, 2021, which claims priority to Patent Application No. PCT/CN2020/077152, filed on Feb. 28, 2020 and Patent Application No. PCT/CN2020/104295, filed on Jul. 24, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pant-type absorbent articles having a protective measure for preventing leakage of low viscosity bodily exudates, while also maintaining other functions as a pant-type wearable article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other individuals wear absorbent articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. Pull-on absorbent articles, or pant-type absorbent articles, such as described in PCT Publication WO 2006/17718A, are those which are donned by inserting the wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the article up into position about the lower torso. Pant-type absorbent articles have become popular for younger babies requiring a soft fit around the waist opening and leg openings. Pant-type absorbent articles have also become popular for females having heavy flow or overnight usage during menstruation periods. One function desired for a pant-type article is a protective measure for preventing leakage of low viscosity bodily exudates through the waist opening. Those pant-type articles having less material around the waist opening for breathability purpose or otherwise, may have risk of leakage from the waist opening, particularly when the wearer is lying on his/her back or belly.

Pant-type articles may take various structures wherein the circumference of the waist opening and vicinity thereof is made elastic enough to facilitate the wearer or the caregiver to expand the article and insert the wearer's legs into the leg openings for wearing the article. Accordingly, pant-type articles provide only a very small range of size adjustment or body configuration adjustment based on the structural limitations of the article. As such, pant-type articles are typically so configured to accommodate size and configuration ranges by providing the elastic belt region very stretchable and comfortable to wear, yet with reliable fit such that sufficient protection against sagging and leakage may be provided. It is desired that such basic functions of the elastic belt region may be maintained even with introduction of the aforementioned protective measure.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an absorbent article provided with a protective measure for preventing leakage of low viscosity bodily exudates from the waist opening, while maintaining good stretchability for ease of application, good fit for preventing sagging, good comfort and softness, and good breathability. There is also a need for providing such an absorbent article which can be economically made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a front elastic belt, a back elastic belt, a crotch region, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings; the crotch region extending longitudinally between the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt;

the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body extending the entire longitudinal dimension of the crotch region and further extending partly into each of the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt, the absorbent main body comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent material region sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of inner cuffs disposed along both transverse edges extending in the longitudinal direction and superposing the topsheet, wherein the inner cuffs extend from the topsheet toward the longitudinal axis to form a free edge;

the entirety of the length of the transverse edges of the front elastic belt is seamed with a certain length of the transverse edges of the back elastic belt to define a pair of side seams, wherein the side seams have a seam length LS;

the back elastic belt divided into multiple zones spanning in the transverse direction and defined by its location from the distal edge to the proximal edge relative to the percentage of the seam length LS wherein the distal edge is considered 0% and the proximal edge is considered 100% wherein; a waist guard portion is disposed within a location of from about 25% to about 60% of LS, the waist guard portion extending towards the crotch region from a closed base line towards an open edge, wherein the waist guard portion is partially bonded to the remainder of the back elastic belt to define a pocket;

wherein each free edge of the pair of inner cuff comprises an unattached portion unattached to the topsheet and extending from the front region through the crotch region to the back region, an attached portion attached to the topsheet and adjacent the unattached portion, and a dividing point separating the attached portion and the unattached portion, wherein at least some portion of the unattached portion comprises a longitudinally extending inner cuff elastic body in active elasticity;

wherein the dividing point of the inner cuff is positioned superposing the pocket, or within about 5 mm more proximal from the open edge of the waist guard portion in the longitudinal direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention with the seams unjoined and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface.

FIGS. 2B-2C are schematic plan views of one embodiment of the present invention with the seams unjoined and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the body facing surface, and with the inner cuffs removed.

FIGS. 2D-2E are schematic plan views of embodiments of the present invention with the seams unjoined and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the body facing surface.

FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic cross section views of precursors for making an embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2E taken along line L2, with the thickness dimension exaggerated.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention worn on a mannequin.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an example of a hanger-type sample holding fixture according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” herein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an example of sample prepared for the Side Leakage Test showing the body facing surface of the sample.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter:

“Absorbent article” refers to articles of wear which may be in the form of pants, taped diapers, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene garments, and the like, so configured to also absorb and contain various exudates such as urine, feces, and menses discharged from the body. The “absorbent article” may serve as an outer cover adaptable to be joined with a separable disposable absorbent insert for providing absorbent and containment function, such as those disclosed in PCT publication WO 2011/087503A.

“Pant” refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waist and leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer's lower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as “closed diapers”, “prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers”, “training pants” and “diaper-pants”.

“Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article.

“Transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

“Proximal” and “distal” refer respectively to the position closer or farther relative to the longitudinal center of the article.

“Inward” and “outward” refer respectively to the position closer or farther relative to the transverse center of the article.

“Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relative location of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements. “Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearer during wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” implies the element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear than some other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate to the wearer's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

“Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place or position.

“Joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

“Film” refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length and width of the material far exceed the thickness of the material. Typically, films have a thickness of about 0.5 mm or less.

“Water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from natural forces such as gravity). A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., may be “vapor-permeable”.

“Extendibility” and “extensible” mean that the width or length of the component in a relaxed state can be extended or increased.

“Elasticated” and “elasticized” mean that a component comprises at least a portion made of elastic material.

“Elongatable material”, “extensible material”, or “stretchable material” are used interchangeably and refer to a material that, upon application of a biasing force, can stretch to an elongated length of at least about 110% of its relaxed, original length (i.e. can stretch to 10 percent more than its original length), without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the applied force, shows little recovery, less than about 20% of its elongation without complete rupture or breakage as measured by EDANA method 20.2-89. In the event such an elongatable material recovers at least 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “elastic” or “elastomeric.” For example, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 130 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 40% recovery). In the event the material recovers less than 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “substantially non-elastic” or “substantially non-elastomeric”. For example, an elongatable material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 145 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 10% recovery).

“Dimension”, “Length”, “Width”, “Pitch”, “Diameter”, “Aspect Ratio”, “Angle”, and “Area” of the article are all measured in a state wherein the article is extended to the Full Stretch Circumference W1according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” herein, and utilizing a ruler or a loupe, unless specified otherwise.

“Color” or “Colored” as referred to herein includes any primary color except color white, i.e., black, red, blue, violet, orange, yellow, green, and indigo as well as any declination thereof or mixture thereof. The color white is defined as those colors having a L* value of at least 94, an a* value equal to 0±2, and a b* value equal to 0±2 according to the CIE L* a* b* color system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article (20) of the present invention, and FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article with the seams unjoined and in its flat uncontracted condition showing the garment-facing surface. The absorbent article (20) has a longitudinal centerline L1 which also serves as the longitudinal axis, and a transverse centerline T1 which also serves as the transverse axis. The absorbent article (20) has a body facing surface, a garment facing surface, a front elastic belt (84), a back elastic belt (86), a crotch region (30), and side seams (32) which join the front elastic belt (84) and the back elastic belt (86), to form two leg openings and a waist opening.

The absorbent article (20) may be a belt-type pant as in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2E comprising an absorbent main body (38) to cover the crotch region (30) of the wearer, a front elastic belt (84) and a back elastic belt (86) (hereinafter may be referred to as “front and back elastic belts”), the front and back elastic belts (84, 86) forming a discrete ring-like elastic belt (40) extending transversely defining the waist opening. For the belt-type pant, the discrete ring-like elastic belt (40) may also be referred to as the elastic belt (40). For the belt-type pant as in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2E, the front and back elastic belts (84, 86) and the absorbent main body (38) jointly define the leg openings. For the belt-type pant, the front elastic belt (84) is the front region (26), and the back elastic belt (86) is the back region (28), and the remainder is the crotch region (30). While not shown, the absorbent article (20) may be a uni-body type pant configured such that the outer cover layer of the absorbent main body (38) and the garment facing layer of the elastic belt (40) are common. For the uni-body type pant, the portion extending in the transverse direction between the side seams (32), respectively, are considered the front region (26) and the back region (28), and the remainder is the crotch region (30). For the uni-body type pant, the front region (26) is considered the front elastic belt (84), and the back region (28) is considered the back elastic belt (86).

The absorbent main body (38) comprises a topsheet (34), a backsheet (36) and an absorbent material region (62) disposed between the topsheet (34) and the backsheet (36). The absorbent main body (38) may further comprise an outer cover layer (42) for covering the garment-facing side of the backsheet (36). The topsheet (34) may be a water permeable substrate. The backsheet (36) may be a water impermeable film. The outer cover layer (42) may be a nonwoven sheet. The absorbent main body (38) comprises an absorbent material region (62) for absorbing and containing body exudates disposed on the absorbent main body (38), and an absorbent material non-existing region (61) surrounding the periphery of the absorbent material region (62). The area adjacent the front and back longitudinal end edges of the absorbent main body (38) comprise the backsheet (36). The absorbent material non-existing region (61) may be made of the topsheet (34) and/or the backsheet (36) and/or the outer cover layer (42) and/or other parts configuring the absorbent main body (38). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the absorbent main body (38) has a generally rectangular shape, left and right longitudinally extending side edges (48) and front and back transversely extending end edges (50). The absorbent material region (62) may exist through the entire longitudinal dimension of the crotch region and extending at least partly in the front and back regions (26, 28). The absorbent main body (38) may have a front waist panel (52) positioned in the front region (26) of the absorbent article (20), a back waist panel (54) positioned in the back region (28), and a crotch panel (56) between the front and back waist panels (52, 54) in the crotch region (30). The center of the front elastic belt (84) is joined to a front waist panel (52) of the absorbent main body (38), the center of the back elastic belt (86) is joined to a back waist panel (54) of the absorbent main body (38), the front and back elastic belts (84, 86) each having a left side panel and a right side panel (82) where the absorbent main body (38) does not overlap. The absorbent main body (38) has a crotch panel (56) positioned between the front waist panel (52) and the back waist panel (54).

The absorbent material region (62) may comprise an absorbent layer and an acquisition layer. The absorbent layer is the region wherein absorbent materials having a high retention capacity, such as superabsorbent polymers, are present. The absorbent layer may be substantially cellulose free. Superabsorbent polymers of the absorbent layer may be disposed between first and second layers of material immobilized by a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material. The first and second layers of materials may be nonwoven fibrous webs including synthetic fibers, such as mono-constituent fibers of PE, PET and PP, multiconstituent fibers such as side by side, core/sheath or island in the sea type fibers. Such synthetic fibers may be formed via a spunbonding process or a meltblowing process. The acquisition layer facilitates the acquisition and the distribution of body exudates and may be placed between the topsheet (34) and the absorbent layer. The acquisition layer may include cellulosic fibers.

The absorbent layers may be disposed in plurality in the absorbent material region (62). Some portions of the absorbent layers may be configured to have substantially no absorbent material to form a channel or a plurality of channels. Channels may be useful for allowing the absorbent material region (62) to bend upon swelling with fluids, such that the absorbent article conforms to the wearer's body after swelling and prevent sagging of the article. The channels may also be formed in the acquisition layer, and may be configured to at least partly match the channels of the absorbent layer in the thickness direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2D and 2E, the absorbent main body (38) comprises a leg gasketing system comprising at least an inner cuff (68) and optionally also an outer cuff (64). The leg gasketing system as well as the inner cuff (68) is provided in pair and disposed along both transverse edges extending in the longitudinal direction and superposing the topsheet (34). The leg gasketing system may be made of material having high fluid impermeability. The same web of material may be made for making both the inner cuff (68) and the outer cuff (64). The inner cuff (68) is mainly to prevent leakage of bodily exudates. The outer cuff (64) in cooperation with the belt elastic members (96) may provide gasketing around the leg openings.

The elastic belt (40) of the article of the present invention acts to dynamically create fitment forces and to distribute the forces dynamically generated during wear. The front and back elastic belts (84, 86) may be joined with each other only at the side edges (89) to form side seams (32), a waist opening and two leg openings. Each leg opening may be provided with elasticity around the perimeter of the leg opening. The elasticity around the leg opening may be provided by the combination of elasticity from the front elastic belt (84), the back elastic belt (86), and the outer cuffs (64).

The longitudinal length of the backsheet (36) and the outer cover layer (42) may be the same, or may be varied. For example, the outer cover layer (42) may have a shorter length compared to that of the backsheet (36), such that the outer cover layer (42) is devoid where the absorbent main body (38) overlaps the elastic belt (40). By such configuration, the elastic belt may have better breathability. Further, such configuration may provide cost saving. The transverse width of the backsheet (36) and the outer cover layer (42) may be the same, or may be varied. For example, the backsheet (36) may have a shorter transverse width compared to that of the outer cover layer (42). By such configuration, the longitudinal side edges (48) of the crotch panel (56), which make part of the leg openings, may have better breathability. Further, such configuration may provide cost saving. The backsheet (36) may extend to the transversely extending end edges (50) of the absorbent main body (38) for providing leakage prevention.

For the belt-type pant, the longitudinal length LB of the back elastic belt (86) and the longitudinal length LF of the front elastic belt (84) may be provided the same, or the back elastic belt (86) may have a greater longitudinal length LB as in FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2A, when the wearable article is assembled to form the waist opening and the leg openings, the wearable article (20) is folded along the transverse centerline T1 such that the front distal edge (88) is aligned with the back distal edge (88). The front side edge (89) is also aligned with a portion of the back side edge (89). Then the front elastic belt (84) and the back elastic belt (86) are joined at the front and back side edges (89) at the seams (32). The front and back proximal edges (90), however, may not be aligned to one another. The back proximal edge (90) may be disposed longitudinally closer than the front proximal edge (90) relative to the transverse center line T1 such that the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) extends toward the crotch panel (56) of the main body (38) beyond the front proximal edge (90). The side edge of the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) may not be joined to anywhere and free from attachment. Thus, the proximal portion of the back side panel (82) provides a buttock cover (95) (not shown).

The front elastic belt (84) and back elastic belt (86) are configured to impart elasticity to the belt (40). Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3, the front elastic belt (84) and the back elastic belt (86) may each comprise a laminate, the laminate comprising a plurality of elastic members (96F, 96S) running in the transverse direction, an inner sheet (94), an outer sheet (92), and one or a plurality of outer sheet fold overs (931, 932) wherein the outer sheet fold over is an extension of the outer sheet material formed by folding the outer sheet material at the distal edge (88) of the front and back elastic belts or otherwise; wherein the belt elastic members (96F, 96S) are sandwiched between two of these sheets. The front elastic belt (84) and the back elastic belt (86) may each be made only by elastic members (96S), the inner sheet (94), the outer sheet (92), and the outer sheet fold overs (931, 932). The belt elastic members (96F, 96S) may extend in the transverse direction to provide a ring like elastic belt (40) when the front elastic belt (84) and the back elastic belt (86) are joined. At least some of the elastic members (96F, 96S) extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. All of the elastic members (96F, 96S) may extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. Such an article may be economically made. The front and back elastic belt (84, 86) each may have transversely continuous proximal and distal edges, the proximal edge (90) being located closer than the distal edge (88) relative to the longitudinal center of the article. At least 10%, or at least from about 15% to not more than about 70%, of the front and back elastic belts from the waist opening in the longitudinal direction may be a laminate in active elasticity along the entire transverse dimension LW of the front and back elastic belts (84, 86). For each front and back elastic belt (84, 86), the region overlapping the front and/or back waist panel (52, 54) of the absorbent main body (38) may be removed of its elastic activity. Such region removed of elastic activity is referred herein as the “elastic cut window”, and the remainder of the intact elastic member capable of imparting elasticity is defined as the “effective length of elasticity of an elastic member”.

The tensile stress (N/m) of the entirety of the front and back elastic belts (84, 86), respectively, may be profiled in order to provide the functional benefits of the present invention, such as ease of stretch and application, while also maintaining certain force during wear, to prevent the article from sagging after loading. When the elasticity of the front and back elastic belts (84, 86) are provided by a plurality of elastic members (96F, 96S) running in the transverse direction, the tensile stress may be adjusted by one or more of the following methods; 1) elongation rate of the elastic member (96F, 96S); 2) density (dtex) of the elastic member (96F, 96S); 3) longitudinal pitch of multiple elastic members (96F, 96S); and 4) effective length of elasticity of the elastic member (96F, 96S) in the transverse direction. By elongation, “0% elongation” is meant the original length of the elastic member.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the front and back elastic belts (84, 86) may each be divided into multiple zones spanning in the transverse direction and defined by its location from the distal edge (88) to the proximal edge (90) relative to the percentage of the seam length LS wherein the distal edge (88) is considered 0% and the proximal edge (90) is considered 100%. The multiple zones may be configured to provide different tensile stress, or different functions to the front and back elastic belts (84, 86), respectively. In the absorbent article of the present invention, a Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is disposed within a location of 25-70% of LS on the back elastic belt (86), the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) extending towards the crotch region from a closed base line (103B) toward an open edge (103M), wherein the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is partially bonded to the remainder of the back elastic belt (86) to define a pocket (103P). FIG. 1 depicts a Waist Guard Portion (WGP) on the back elastic belt. The Waist Guard Portion (WGP) need not span the entire 25% to 70% of LS, but rather is comprised within such dimension. The Waist Guard Portion (WGP) may be positioned at a dimension of from about 25% to about 55% of LS, or from about 30% to about 65% of LS, or from about 25% to about 55% of LS, or from about 30% to about 70% of LS. Without being bound by theory, by providing the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) in such dimension on the back elastic belt (86), the buttock cleavage of a wearer is effectively covered by the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) so that low viscosity exudate, such as runny fecal matter or blood, may be effectively drawn into the pocket.

Referring to FIGS. 2B-2C and 3A-3D, the structure of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is explained. The Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is made by an extension of the outer sheet (92) extending beyond the longitudinal dimension of the inner sheet (94), which extension of the outer sheet (92) is folded inwardly 2 times in order to encompass a first elastic member (96F) and further to provide the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) in the intended position relative to the side seam length LS. As a result of the 2 folds, the first elastic member (96F) is sandwiched between the first outer sheet fold (931) and the second outer sheet fold (932), wherein the first outer sheet fold (931) constitutes the garment facing side of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP), and the second outer sheet fold (932) constitutes the body facing surface. Referring to FIGS. 2C and 3D, a certain longitudinal dimension from the distal edge of the second outer sheet fold (932) is bonded to the remainder of the belt, such bonding shown as SWFA, however, leaving some longitudinal dimension unbonded. The position provided most distal of the unbonded region is the closed base line (103B), and the common proximal edge of the first outer sheet fold (931) and second outer sheet fold (932) is the open edge (103M). The Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is defined as having a longitudinal dimension spanning from the closed base line (103B) and the open edge (103M), and having a transverse dimension matching the width of the belt to which it is provided. The left and right transverse edges of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) are also bonded to the remainder of the belt, such bonding shown as SWFA. The unbonded region thus provided is the pocket (103P). The bondings provided to define the area of the pocket (103P) are so configured to provide the pocket (103P) substantially superposing the backsheet (36), preferably completely superposing the backsheet (36). Without being bound by theory, by providing the pocket (103P) substantially superposing the backsheet (36), this prevents low viscosity exudate having entered the pocket (103P) from flowing or penetrating out of the pocket (103P) towards the waist opening, or the transverse edges.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the first elastic member (96F) provides the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP), wherein elasticity may be imparted by one or more elastic strands, elastic ribbons, mechanically activated nonwovens, or otherwise. The Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is defined as having a longitudinal dimension (1031) spanning from the open edge (103M) to the distal edge of the first elastic member (96F). When the first elastic member (96F) is a plurality of elastic strands, the distal edge of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is the position of the elastic strand which is positioned most distal. There may be 2-10 elastic strands, or from 2-5 elastic strands, or 2-8 elastic strands, or 3-4 elastic strands, or 3-8 elastic strands, or 4-6 elastic strands disposed on the waist guard elastic portion. The longitudinal dimension of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is smaller than that of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) such that a pocket (103P) having containment capacity may be provided. The longitudinal dimension of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) may be no greater than about 40 mm, or no greater than about 35 mm, or no greater than about 30 mm, or no greater than about 25 mm, or from 15 mm to about 40 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 35 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 25 mm. In FIGS. 2B and 2C, the pocket (103P) has a rectangular shape, however, the pocket (103P) may take other shapes by changing the bonding area SWFA such that the closed base line (103B) is shaped. For example, the closed base line (103B) may be concave or convex toward the pocket (103B) to match the wearer's anatomy. The longitudinal dimension of the pocket (103P) defined as the shortest distance between the closed base line (103B) to the open edge (103M) may be from about 20 mm to about 45 mm, or from about 24 mm to about 42 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3D, the remainder of the belt superposing the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is defined a Correlated Portion (CP). Namely, the Correlated Portion (CP) has the same longitudinal dimension (1031) as the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP). The Correlated Portion (CP) may be elasticized or may not be elasiticized, wherein the tensile stress of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is higher than that of the Correlated Portion (CP). The Correlated Portion (CP) may be elasticized wherein the tensile stress of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is at least about 25% higher, or at least about 100% higher than that of the Correlated Portion (CP). Without being bound by theory, such tensile stress difference enables the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) to be in close contact with the wearer, while pulling away the open edge (103M) from the Correlated Portion (CP), thus opening the pocket (103P) towards the proximal side. Thus, the pocket (103P) is configured to have good containment capacity. The Correlated Portion (CP) may have an elastic cut window such that some portion is elasticized, while the transverse center does not interfere with the opening of the pocket (103P). When the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) is elasticized by disposing a plurality of elastic strands (96F), one elastic strand is disposed from no less than 2 mm to 5 mm away from the open edge (103M). Placement of the elastic strand on the very edge of the open edge (103M) may be avoided in order to prevent the waist guard position WGP causing irritation to the wearer. The Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) may be disposed with a plurality of elastic strands (96F) with a relatively small pitch between each other. The elastic strands (96F) of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) may be disposed at a pitch of no more than about 12 mm, or no more than about 10 mm, or no more than about 6 mm, or between about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or between about 3 mm to about 9 mm, or between about 2 mm to about 6 mm. The elastic strands (96F) for providing the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) may be provided in color such that the existence and function of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is clearly communicated to the wearer or caregiver. At least 2 of the elastic strands for providing the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) may have a color which is visible from the body facing side of the article. The color may be selected from green, blue, purple, or a combination thereof, in order to be easily recognized, while not being confused with the color of containment. The same or similar color may be used for other elastic strands (96S) disposed on the belt to provide a coordinated appearance. For example, those elastic strands on the front waist zone (102) or the back waist zone (102) may have the same or similar color.

The Waist Guard Portion (WGP) may be configured in a certain way relative to the absorbent main body to provide improved function. As mentioned above, the area of the pocket (103P) is so configured to provide the pocket (103P) substantially superposing the backsheet (36), preferably completely superposing the backsheet (36). When the backsheet (36) extends to the end edge (50) of the absorbent main body (38), the end edge of the backsheet (36) matches the end edge (50) of the absorbent main body (38). Referring to FIGS. 2C and 3, the longitudinal edges of the absorbent main body (38) may be positioned and bonded between the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) and the remainder of the belt. This is to avoid having sharp edges of the absorbent main body (38) on the body facing surface, and also to avoid leakage from the edges. The absorbent main body (38) comprises an absorbent material region (62) which may be surrounded by an absorbent material non-existing region (61), wherein the absorbent material region (62) having a greater thickness than that of the absorbent material non-existing region (61). The absorbent material region (62) may partially superpose the area of the pocket (103P) to provide at least some absorbent capacity in this region. At least about 3%, or at least about 10% of the area of the pocket (103P) may superpose the absorbent material region (62) toward the proximal edge. Even so, the combined thickness of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP), the Correlated Portion (CP), and the portion of the absorbent main body (38) sandwiched therebetween may be kept to no more than about 5 mm, preferably no more than about 4 mm. This is so that the thickness of the remainder of the article does not interfere with the opening of the pocket (103P) towards the proximal side due to the elasticity of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP). When the absorbent main body (38) comprises an acquisition system, the acquisition system may be avoided from superposing the pocket (103P). In order to provide the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) relative to the absorbent main body (38) in the aforementioned way, the distance between the waist opening to the longitudinal edge of the absorbent main body (38) may be adjusted, namely may be shifted toward the back side or the front side. For example, when the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is provided only on the back elastic belt (86), the distance between the waist opening to the longitudinal edge of the absorbent main body (38) may be made shorter on the back side than the front side.

Referring to FIGS. 2D and 2E, each inner cuff (68) of the present invention extend from the topsheet (34) toward the longitudinal axis to form a free edge (68F). For both FIGS. 2D and 2E, the left side is shown with the outer sheet fold overs (931, 932) removed, and thus exposing the inner cuffs superposing the pocket (103P). An elastic body (68E) may be disposed adjacent the free edge (68F) for providing elasticity to the inner cuff (68), for example from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm from the free edge (68F). The elastic body (68E) may be provided in plurality with an interval of from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. Each inner cuff (68) of the present invention comprises an unattached portion (68U) unattached to the topsheet (34) and extending from the front region (26) through the crotch region (30) to the back region (28), an attached portion (68A) attached to the topsheet (34) and adjacent the unattached portion (68U), and a dividing point (68D) separating the attached portion (68A) and the unattached portion (68U), wherein at least some portion of the unattached portion (68U) comprises a longitudinally extending inner cuff elastic body (68E) in active elasticity. Only attached portions sharing boarder with the unattached portion (68U) are considered the attached portion (68A) herein. The attached portion (68A) may be provided toward the longitudinal edges of the absorbent main body (38) while the portion between the front and back attached portions (68A) are unattached, such that the inner cuffs (68) are kept in close proximity with the wearer to provide a barrier effect. The inner cuffs (68) may be made by providing a part comprising a cuff material having high fluid impermeability with elastic bodies provided in attachment, followed by bonding some longitudinal dimension to the topsheet (34), resulting in the attached portions (68A). Such bonding may be referred to as tack down bonding (TDB), and may be provided by heat, pressure, ultrasonic energy, or combination thereof. The tack down bonding (TDB), and hence the resulting attached portions (68A) may be provided along the free edge (68F) and have a transverse dimension overlapping the inner cuff elastic element, for example a transverse dimension of from about 5 mm to about 12 mm. This way, the tack down bonding (TDB) may serve to control the length of the inner cuff unattached portion (68U) and simultaneously deactivating the elasticity of the attached portion (68A). The proximal edge of the tack down bonding (TDB) provided along the free edge (68F) is the dividing point (68D). Referring to FIG. 2D, in one embodiment, the tack down bonding (TDB) may be provided in an acute angle, forming a triangle shape, for providing a strong bonding against the topsheet (34) in the distal region, and further extending proximally along the free edge (68F) to control the length of the leg cuff elastic body in active elasticity.

Referring to FIG. 2E, each inner cuff (68) of the present invention may further comprise an auxiliary attached portion (68AA), wherein the auxiliary attached portion (68AA) extends longitudinally and is provided outward from the inner cuff elastic body, or outward from the inner cuff free edge by from about 7 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 7 mm to about 17 mm. For providing such auxiliary attached portion (68AA), some portion of the tack down bonding (TDB) may extend outward from the inner cuff elastic body, hence not deactivating the inner cuff elastic body. In such configuration, the dividing point (68D) which is disposed on the free edge (68F) may be positioned more distal than the proximal edge of the auxiliary attached portion (68AA).

Referring to FIGS. 2D and 2E, the pair of inner cuffs (68), and particularly the proximal edges of the attached portion (68A) and the auxiliary attached portion (68AA) may be configured in a certain way relative to the pocket (103P) to provide synergistic leakage prevention. The dividing point (68D) of the inner cuff is positioned superposing the pocket, or within about 5 mm more proximal from the open edge (103M) of the waist guard portion in the longitudinal direction. The dividing point (68D) of the inner cuff (68) is positioned superposing the pocket (103P) of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP), or within about 5 mm from the open edge (103M) of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) in the longitudinal direction. Without being bound by theory, by providing the dividing point (68D) in close proximity of the open edge (103M) or within the pocket (103P), this enhances containment capacity of the pocket (103P) while also helping the bodily exudates to flow inside the pocket (103P). Thus, leakage toward the back waist opening as well as toward the side edges are also prevented. In a configuration wherein auxiliary attached portions (68AA) are present, while the dividing point (68D) is positioned more distal than the proximal edge of the auxiliary attached portion (68AA), the inner cuffs (68) may be configured to press against the body facing surface of the pocket (103P) to secure opening of the pocket (103P) in use, while providing a barrier with the auxiliary attached portions (68AA) for fluids flowing side ways. Further, by providing the dividing point (68D) of the inner cuff distal from the open edge (103M) of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) in the longitudinal direction, this helps secure opening of the pocket (103P) while the inner cuffs (68) and the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) may be left unbonded to each other. Generally, it is desired to have less bonding in regions coming to close proximity to the wearer, as bondings may impair soft touch.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the back elastic belt (86) on which the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is disposed may be divided into 3 zones spanning in the transverse direction and defined by its location from the distal edge (88) to the proximal edge (90) relative to the percentage of the seam length LS wherein; 0% to the distal edge of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is a back waist zone (102), the distal edge to the proximal edge of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is a protective zone (103), and the proximal edge of the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) to 100% is a buttock zone (105). The back elastic belt may further have a buttock cover zone (110), wherein the longitudinal dimension of the back elastic belt LB exceeds LS. Elastic members may be disposed on each of the waist zone (102), the protective zone (103) other than the Waist Guard Portion (WGP), the buttock zone (105), and the buttock cover zone (110).

When the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is not disposed on the front elastic belt, the front elastic belt may be divided into 4 zones wherein: 0-25% is the waist zone (102), 25-50% is the distal tummy zone (104), 50-85% is the proximal tummy zone (106), and 85-100% is the leg zone (108). When there is an elastic member disposed at 25% from the distal edge (88), such elastic member is considered to be included in the waist zone (102). When there is an elastic member disposed at 50% from the distal edge (88), or 85% from the distal edge (88), such elastic member is considered to be included in the proximal tummy zone (106).

When the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is disposed on the back elastic belt and not disposed on the front elastic belt, the tensile stress of the protective zone (103) may be provided higher than the tensile stress of either the back waist zone (102), or the buttock zone (105). When the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is disposed on the back elastic belt and not disposed on the front elastic belt, the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone (106) may be provided higher than the tensile stress of any of the front waist zone (102), the front distal tummy zone (104), or the front leg zone (108). The tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone (106) may be higher than the tensile stress of any other zone, either in the front or the back. When comparing all of the zones of the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt, the tensile stress may be provided greatest in the order of: the front proximal tummy zone (106), followed by the protective zone (103). Without being bound by theory, such profiling of the tensile stress per zone is believed to provide the article of the present invention with a shaped elastic belt (40) that conforms well to a human body, such as in FIG. 4, particularly to a lower torso of a child of less than 36 months of age, and therefore provide good fit and comfort to the wearer, without compromise of sagging prevention or leakage prevention. Namely, the front proximal tummy zone (106) is subject to high tensile stress such that the article may be anchored against the wearer's trochanter, while leaving more area for the buttock zone (105) to accommodate the wearer's buttock.

In the present invention, at least one of the inner sheet (92), the outer sheet (94), or the outer cover layer (42) may further comprise a plurality of apertures, wherein the individual aperture may be in the shape of an oval, or polyhedron, while having an aspect ratio of no more than about 3, or no more than about 2.5. The individual aperture may have a transverse dimension APT of at least about 0.4 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 2.0 mm, and a longitudinal dimension APL, wherein APT is at least about 10% greater than APL. Further, the individual apertures may be spaced apart from each other with a longitudinal pitch DF2 of no more than about 5 mm, and APL is not larger than 50% of DF2, or APL is from about 12% to about 30% of DF2. Apertures of such size, shape, and spacing may be visible to the naked eye on the garment-facing surface. When apertures are provided on the outer sheet (92), this may connote breathability and high quality of the gathers made by the contraction of the elastic members of the elastic belt (40), even when the gathers are in contracted state. By providing apertures on the outer sheet (92) and the outer cover layer (42) and further coordinating the patterns of apertures, this may enhance integral appearance of the elastic belt (40) and absorbent main body (38).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3D, even though the back elastic belt (86) comprises a Waist Guard Portion (WGP), the remainder of the back elastic belt (86), and particularly the garment facing surface of the back elastic belt (86), may be maintained in a simple structure. This enables the article to have other functions that are desired of a pant type absorbent article, such as having a disposal tape attached to the garment facing surface of the back elastic belt (86). Accordingly, the absorbent article may be devoid of fastening means.

Whole Article Force Measurement

Force is measured using an Electronic Tensile Tester with a computer interface such as the MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD) or equivalent instrument. A load cell is selected so that force results for the samples tested will be between 10 and 90% of capacity of the load cell used. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity.

The tensile tester is fitted with hanger-type sample holding fixtures (300) as shown in FIG. 5. Each fixture comprises a rigid linear rubber-coated horizontal bar section (302) to prevent sample slippage during testing. The outer bar diameter (including the rubber coating) of the horizontal bar sections is 10.0 mm. The central axes of the horizontal bar sections (302) are configured to remain parallel and in the same vertical plane throughout the test procedure. The gauge circumference is determined by the following equation:

Gauge Circumference=2×(H+D+πD/2)

where H is the vertical gap between the horizontal bar sections (302), and D is the outer diameter of the bar.

The instrument is set up to go through the following steps:

Crosshead Speed 254.0 mm/min Final Load Point 19.61 N Hold Time 0 Number of Cycles 1 Data Acquisition Rate 50 Hz

An article (20) sample is inserted onto the upper horizontal bar section (302) so that the bar passes through the waist opening and one leg opening of the article. The crosshead is raised until the specimen hangs above the lower bar and does not touch lower bar (302). The load cell is tared and the crosshead is lowered to enable the lower bar (302) to be inserted through the waist opening and other leg opening without stretching the article. The article is adjusted so that the longitudinal centerline L1 of the article is in a horizontal plane halfway between the upper and lower bars (302). The center of the side portion in contact with the bar (302) is situated on the same vertical axis as the instrument load cell. The crosshead is raised slowly while the article is held in place by hand as necessary until the force is between 0.05 and 0.1 N, while taking care not to add any unnecessary force. The gauge circumference at this point is the Initial Gauge Circumference. The test is initiated and the crosshead moves up at 254 mm/min until a force of 19.6 N is attained, then the crosshead immediately returns to the Initial Gauge Circumference at the same speed. The maximum circumference at 19.6 N and the force at 70% of the maximum circumference during the loading segment and unloading segment of the test are recorded.

The maximum circumference at 19.6 N is defined as the Full Stretch Circumference (mm). The Full Stretch Circumference (mm)×0.7 is defined as the 70% Stretch Circumference. The Waist Circumference Force is defined as the force at 70% stretch circumference during the load (extension) segment of the test. Five samples are analyzed and their average are calculated and reported to the nearest 0.01 N, respectively.

Belt Zone Tensile Stress Measurement

The tensile stress (N/m) is calculated by tensile force (N) divided by the specimen width (m). Force may be measured using an Electronic Tensile Tester with a computer interface such as the MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD) or equivalent instrument. A load cell is chosen so that force results for the samples tested will be between 10% and 90% of capacity of the load cell. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity. The instrument is equipped with single line contact grips at least as wide as the test specimen.

To obtain test specimens, the sample article is cut open along the side seams (32), and the front and belt elastic belt sections (40) are removed from the absorbent main body (38) by separating the bonding between them, and further the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is separated from the belt to which it is attached. Cold Spray may be used, paying attention not to make wrinkles in the belt sections. Care is taken not to spray on any belt elastic member (96F, 96S). The obtained elastic belt samples are severed into zones (102, 103, 1031-WGEP, 1031-CP, 104, 105, 106, 108) according to the present invention with care not to cut any elastic member (96F, 96S). Samples are pre-conditioned at 23° C.±2 C.° and 50%±5% relative humidity for two hours prior to testing.

The instrument is set up to go through the following steps. Initial Gauge Length is calculated from the Initial Gauge Circumference which is determined during the Whole Article Force Test using separate identical articles, as described above. Initial Gauge Length=0.5×Initial Gauge Circumference. The final gauge length is calculated from the Full Stretch Circumference which is determined during the Whole Article Force Test, as described above.

Crosshead Speed 254.0 mm/min Data Acquisition Rate 50 Hz Final Gauge Length 0.5 × Full Stretch Circumference Hold Time 0 Number of Cycles 1

One end of the specimen is clamped into the upper clamp and the load is tared. The other end of the specimen is clamped into the lower clamp. Approximately 5 mm of each end of the specimen is behind the contact line of the grip. The test is started and the specimen is extended to the final gauge length at a crosshead speed of 254 mm/min, then immediately returned to the original gauge length at the same speed. The specimen is extended in the article transverse direction during the test. The unload force at 70% of the Final Gauge Length during the unload segments of the test is recorded.

Five articles are analyzed and the unload forces are recorded for each of the zones. The average tensile force (N) is calculated to the nearest 0.01 N for each. The tensile stress for each zone is calculated by the average tensile force (N) divided by the average specimen width (m) and reported to the nearest 0.1 N/m.

Side Leakage Test

Side Leakage is measured by analyzing a particular portion of an absorbent article after subjecting the article sample through an insulting protocol.

1. Sample Inspection

An article sample is unjoined of its side seams and inspected of its absorbent main body (38) to identify the narrowest transverse dimension of the backsheet (36) in the crotch region (30).

Such inspected sample is not used for the insulting protocol below. Referring to FIG. 6, such narrowest transverse dimension of the backsheet (36) is identified for the left and right side of the article and drawn lines parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 relative to the remainder of the article. These lines are designated 400R and 400L. Next, the proximal edges of the side seams on the back side is identified and a line drawn between them is designed 400B. In FIG. 6, the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is removed for visibility of lines 400R and 400L, however, in actual sample preparation, the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is left attached to the remainder of the article.

2. Material Preparation

The following artificial fecal material and artificial urine material are prepared in the indicated amount. The material are filled in syringes.

Artifical fecal material: 80 ml of 0.5% Carboxyvinyl polymer solution in distilled water to achieve a viscosity of up to 10 Pa×sec @ 1sec⁻¹. Blue dye (Brilliant Blue food additive colours, from Tianjin Duofuyuan industrial co.ltd) was added in an amount to provide the material clearly discernible to the naked eye. Artificial urine material: 100 ml of saline

3. Insulting Protocol

Samples are preconditioned at 23° C.±2 C.° and 30%±5% relative humidity for 24 hours before testing. The sample is applied on a mannequin available from JP, Kato of the intended size of the article. (For the Examples herein, a Size 3 mannequin having a waist circumference of 447 mm, a hip circumference of 450 mm, and a leg circumference of 270 mm is used.) with care such that the inner cuff free edge is opened at the crotch region, and the mannequin is placed in back laying position.

50 ml artificial urine material is applied at a rate of 5 ml/second to mannequin urinating point and wait for 1 minute. Another 50 ml artificial urine material is applied in the same manner and wait for 1 minute. 50 ml artificial fecal material is applied to wearer facing side of the back elastic belt at 120 mm from the waist opening and wait for 1 minute. Another 30 ml artificial fecal material is applied in the same manner and wait for 1 minute.

Place the mannequin in a sitting position and place paper towel at back waist area. Place the mannequin in back laying position on the pre-weighed paper towel. The same sitting—laying position change is done for additional 2 times. If leakage is identified on the paper towel, the sample is considered to have failed the insulting protocol, and is not sent for the following procedures.

4. Sample Preparation

In the laying position, the sample is removed from the mannequin by tearing open the side seams and with care not to cause movement of artificial fecal material in the sample. The sample removed as such is attached to a horizontal plane utilizing double side tape wherein the back belt is stretched to its maximum dimension, as in FIG. 6. By “maximum dimension” is stretching the belt by at least a force of 19.6 N while not destroying any parts of the back belt. In FIG. 6, the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is removed for visibility of lines 400R and 400L, however, in actual sample preparation, the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) is left attached to the remainder of the article. The lines 400R, 400L, and 400B are identified. The two regions defined by the outer peripheries of the sample article, 400R and 400B, as well as the outer peripheries of the sample article, 400L and 400B, are designated the right and left analyzing regions (RAR, LAR). Photographs are taken for the right and left analyzing regions (RAR, LAR) at a vertical distance of 30 cm to 50 cm from the analyzing regions at appropriate lighting.

5. Image Analysis

The photographs taken are acquired as images and imported into ImageJ software (version 1.53c, National Institute of Health, USA) or equivalent. The analyzing region image is cropped from the original images. Use Rectangle to choose the region of interest (ROI), then use ImageJ “Crop” to get the ROI.

The cropped images are splitted into three 8-bit grayscale images containing the red, green and blue components of the original using Image, Color, Split Channels. The window names have an appended (red), (green) and (blue). Among these 3 Channels, the Channel with the highest contrast is chosen for next step analysis.

Use threshold tool to automatically segment contaminated area from background. Use Image, Adjust, Threshold and choose “Intermodes” method with “B&W” mode to segment the contaminated area.

The images obtained by this step were subject to Use Analyze, Set scale to set the image scale.

The parameters used are: Distance in pixels: 0, Known distance: 0.00, Pixel aspect ratio: 1.0, Unit of length: pixel, and choose the check box “Global”. After setting the image scale, use Analyze, and Analyze Particles to count the contaminated area. The analysis parameters used are: Size (pixel²): 0-Infinity; Circularity: 0:00-1.00; check box: only choose “Display results”, and then start the analysis.

Choose “Results” window, “Area” column, and sum all the areas up as the contaminated area. Contaminated area=Σ₁ ^(n)Area.

Calculate the contaminated area relative to the entire Analyzing region, respectively. Side Leakage Percentage=contaminated area/cropped image area, the cropped image area=image width×image height, pixel as the unit. The left and right images from 5 samples are analyzed, and their average are calculated and reported to the nearest 1%.

EXAMPLES Examples 1-2 and Comparative Example 1

Examples 1-2 of the present invention and Comparative Example 1 of the prior art are belt-type pant absorbent articles in Size 3 (M size) having an elastic profiling of the back elastic belt and inner cuff dimensions according to Table 1 below. For each example, the protective zone comprising the Waist Guard Portion (WGP) was positioned at 28% to 55% of LS only on the back elastic belt. For each example, the 2 elastic strands on the Correlated Portion (CP) had an elastic cut window. For each example, there were 18 elastic members each disposed on the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt. The tensile stress of the Waist Guard Elastic Portion (WGEP) and the Correlated Portion (CP) according to the Belt Zone Tensile Stress Measurement herein, were measured. All examples were subject to the Side Leakage Test herein to measure the Side Leakage Percentage. Results are also provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparative Example 1 Example 1 Example 2 dtex/elongation %/number of elastic members per zone (dimension of elastic cut window) Waist zone 470 dtex/180%/3 Protective zone Waist Guard Portion 940 dtex/210%/4 Protective zone other than Waist Guard Portion 470 dtex/180%/1 940 dtex/130%/2 (114 mm) Buttock zone 940 dtex/130%/2 (114 mm) 470 dtex/240%/3 (114 mm) Buttock cover zone 470 dtex/240%/3 (114 mm) Tensile stress of waist guard elastic portion (N/m) 43.0 Tensile stress of correlated portion (N/m) 18.3 Proximal distance from waist guard portion opening 20 0 20 to dividing point (mm) Outward distance from inner cuff free edge (mm) 6.5 6.5 16.5 Side Leakage Percentage (%) 58 2 16

Examples 1-2 as well as Comparative Example 1 provide good stretchability for ease of application, good fit for preventing sagging, good comfort and softness, and good breathability. Compared to Comparative Example 1, Examples 1-2 provide improved protection against side leakage of low viscosity fecal matter.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a front elastic belt, a back elastic belt, a crotch region, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings; the crotch region extending longitudinally between the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt; the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body extending the entire longitudinal dimension of the crotch region and further extending partly into each of the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt, the absorbent main body comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent material region sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of inner cuffs disposed along both transverse edges extending in the longitudinal direction and superposing the topsheet, wherein the inner cuffs extend from the topsheet toward the longitudinal axis to form a free edge; the entirety of the length of the transverse edges of the front elastic belt is seamed with a certain length of the transverse edges of the back elastic belt to define a pair of side seams, wherein the side seams have a seam length LS; the back elastic belt divided into multiple zones spanning in the transverse direction and defined by its location from the distal edge to the proximal edge relative to the percentage of the seam length LS wherein the distal edge is considered 0% and the proximal edge is considered 100% wherein; a waist guard portion is disposed within a location of from about 25% to about 70% of LS, the waist guard portion extending towards the crotch region from a closed base line towards an open edge, wherein the waist guard portion is partially bonded to the remainder of the back elastic belt to define a pocket; wherein each free edge of the pair of inner cuff comprises an unattached portion unattached to the topsheet and extending from the front region through the crotch region to the back region, an attached portion attached to the topsheet and adjacent the unattached portion, and a dividing point separating the attached portion and the unattached portion, wherein at least some portion of the unattached portion comprises a longitudinally extending inner cuff elastic body in active elasticity; wherein the dividing point of the inner cuff is positioned superposing the pocket, or within about 5 mm more proximal from the open edge of the waist guard portion in the longitudinal direction.
 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the attached portion is provided along the free edge and with a transverse dimension overlapping the inner cuff elastic body.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the entire length of the unattached portion is in active elasticity.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner cuff further comprises an auxiliary attached portion, wherein the auxiliary attached portion extends longitudinally and is provided outward from the inner cuff elastic body.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the auxiliary attached portion superposes the pocket.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 5, wherein the dividing point is positioned more distal than the proximal edge of the auxiliary attached portion.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein within the waist guard portion, the inner cuffs and the waist guard portion are unbonded to each other.
 8. The absorbent article claim 1, wherein the waist guard portion comprises a waist guard elastic portion having a longitudinal dimension of no greater than about 40 mm, the remainder of the back elastic belt superposing the waist guard elastic portion is defined a correlated portion, wherein the tensile stress of the waist guard elastic portion is at least about 25% higher than the tensile stress of the correlated portion.
 9. The absorbent article claim 1, wherein the area of the pocket substantially superposes the backsheet.
 10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article has a Side Leakage Percentage of less than 50%, according to the measurements herein. 